Injection molding machine

ABSTRACT

An injection molding machine capable of easily moving a body of the injection molding machine and its associated peripheral equipments, and eliminating daily correction of the position of the peripheral equipments. A rest ( 5 ) having a peripheral-equipment mounting plate ( 13 ) is fixed to the body ( 1 ) of the injection molding machine, and a robot ( 17 ) and a peripheral equipment ( 18 ) cooperating with the injection molding machine body ( 1 ) are mounted on the plate ( 13 ). In moving the injection molding machine body ( 1 ) to another location, the robot ( 17 ) and the peripheral equipment ( 18 ) can be transported together with the injection molding machine body ( 1 ). Thus, detachment of the peripheral equipments from the injection molding machine and re-connection of cables and piping become unnecessary, and also the relative positioning does not displaced.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an improvement in an injection moldingmachine.

BACKGROUND ART

In order to smoothly carry out an injection molding operation, it isnecessary to use peripheral equipment associated with an injectionmolding machine, for example, a robot for taking out products, devicescooperating with the robot, such as a stocker, an insert feeder, a partfeeder, a gate cutter, a static electricity eliminator or a productinspection machine, a temperature controller for a mold, etc., incombination with a body of the injection molding machine.

Conventionally, such peripheral equipment is disposed independently onthe floor of a factory etc. separately from the body of the injectionmolding machine. In order to perform a series of injection moldingoperations by cooperation of the injection molding machine and theperipheral equipment, it is necessary to connect cables for exchangingelectrical signals between a controller of the injection molding machineand the peripheral equipment; and hoses or the like for conveyingcoolant for a temperature controller etc.

In the event of moving the injection molding machine to anotherlocation, therefore, the body of the injection molding machine and theperipheral equipment need to be separately transported with cables,hoses, etc. detached, and after the transportation is finished, theperipheral equipment must be set up again, thus requiring much labor.

Further, for equipment which operates physically and directly on thebody of the injection molding machine and the mold, such as the robotfor taking out products, the position of the peripheral equipmentrelative to the body of the injection molding machine must always bekept in a proper relationship in view of precision of the operation. Thestocker, the insert feeder, the part feeder, the gate cutter, the staticelectricity eliminator, the product inspection machine, etc. also areperipheral equipment directly associated with the body of the injectionmolding machine or the robot for taking out products, and therefore,they must be positioned with high accuracy as in the case of the robot.

Thus, in the case where the injection molding machine is moved toanother location, the positional relationship of the body of theinjection molding machine relative to the peripheral equipment whichrequires highly accurate positioning must be restored to exactly thesame as before the transportation, making the positioning work extremelylabor-consuming. If the positioning is unsuccessful, it is necessary toperform a teaching operation to the robot and the peripheral equipmentagain. Also, the peripheral equipment such as the robot may be displaceddue to vibration etc. of the body of the injection molding machine.Therefore, in the case of peripheral equipment of this type, a need mayarise for assuring the position of the equipment relative to the body ofthe injection molding machine or for performing the re-teachingoperation to the equipment not only at the time of the moving but on adaily basis as routine maintenance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide an injection moldingmachine capable of easily moving a body of the injection molding machineand peripheral equipment, and eliminating the need for daily work ofcorrecting the position of the peripheral equipment.

An injection molding machine of the present invention comprises: a bodyof the injection molding machine; and a rest fixed to the body of theinjection molding machine and having a mounting portion for mountingthereon peripheral equipment for performing an injection moldingoperation in cooperation with the body of the injection molding machine.

The rest may be disposed at any desired location insofar as it does notobstruct an operation of the injection molding machine. However, formounting a robot mechanism for taking out products, it is preferable toprovide the mounting portion at a level higher than a mold clampingunit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of an injection molding machine according to anembodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a left side view of the injection molding machine.

BEST MODE OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an injection molding machine according to anembodiment of the present invention will be described.

A body 1 of the injection molding machine includes a base 2 formedintegrally by welding pipe members each having a rectangular crosssection, a mold clamping unit 3 and an injection unit 4 mounted on thebase 2. A principal part of the base 2 is constituted by two upperrectangular pipes 2 a arranged side by side in a direction perpendicularto the paper surface of FIG. 1 and parallel with each other, and twolower rectangular pipes 2 b arranged side by side in the directionperpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 1 and parallel with eachother. Columns 22 for supporting the upper rectangular pipes 2 a arewelded at opposite ends and appropriate portions of the rectangularpipes 2 b. In FIGS. 1 and 2, only columns 22 each supporting one end ofthe rectangular pipe 2 a are shown.

The injection molding machine of this embodiment has first and secondrests 5 and 6 for mounting peripheral equipment thereon.

The first rest 5 comprises a first U-shaped frame 10, a second U-shapedframe 11, reinforcing pipe members 12, and a peripheral-equipmentmounting plate (main mounting portion) 13. The first U-shaped frame 10includes a pair of upright pipe members 8 secured by bolts 7 to theouter sides of the respective rectangular pipes 2 a at a distance fromthe mold clamping section 3, and a reinforcing pipe member 9interconnecting the upper ends of the two pipe members 8. The secondU-shaped frame 11 has a structure identical with that of the firstU-shaped frame 10 and is displaced in the longitudinal direction of therectangular pipes 2 a to such an extent that it does not obstruct a doorgate 3 a of the mold clamping unit 3. The reinforcing pipe members 12are provided horizontally for interconnecting the upper end portions onrespective sides of the first and second U-shaped frames 10 and 11. Theperipheral equipment mounting plate 13 is securely attached to the upperends of the first and second U-shaped frames 10 and 11, and also to thereinforcing pipe members 12.

A supporting plate (second periperal-equipment mounting plate) 15projects laterally by being horizontally fixed to the lower ends of thefirst and second U-shaped frames 10 and 11, to constitute a secondperipheral-equipment mounting plate (sub mounting section) 15 in thefirst rest 5. Although not shown in FIG. 1, a third peripheral-equipmentmounting plate (sub mounting section) having a structure identical withthat of the second peripheral-equipment mounting plate 15 is providedbetween the lower ends on the other side of the first and secondU-shaped frames 10 and 11, i.e., on the rear side in FIG. 1 (not shown).

The first rest 5 has a structure such that it is fixed by the bolts 7 tothe rectangular pipes 2 a which constitutes the principal part of thebase 2, and thus can be attached to and detached from the injectionmolding machine 1. Since the U-shaped frames 10 and 11 are each attachedto the rectangular pipes 2 a by the bolts 7 vertically spaced from eachother, and joint portions of the pipe members constituting the rest 5are securely fixed by the reinforcing plate 14, the framework of therest 5 does not collapse easily.

In this embodiment, a robot mechanism 17 for taking out products and theother peripheral equipment 18 are mounted on the peripheral-equipmentmounting plate (main mounting section) 13 in the first rest 5. In thiscase, the peripheral equipment 18 may be, for example, a stocker, aninsert feeder, a part feeder, a gate cutter, a static electricityeliminator, a product inspection machine or the like which requires tobe positioned accurately relative to the mold mounted in the moldclamping unit 3 or relative to the robot mechanism 17 for taking outproducts. In FIGS. 1 and 2, a range of movement of the robot mechanism17 for taking out products is indicated by the two-dot-chain lines.

On the second peripheral equipment mounting plate (sub mounting portion)15, mounted is a peripheral-equipment control panel 19 for operating therobot mechanism 17 for taking out products as well as the otherperipheral equipment 18, such as a stocker, insert feeder, part feeder,gate cutter, static electricity eliminator, product inspection machineor the like. Further, on the third peripheral equipment mounting plate(sub mounting section), is a peripheral-equipment controller 20 forcontrolling the operations of the robot mechanism 17 for taking outproducts and the other peripheral equipment 18, such as a stocker,insert feeder, part feeder, gate cutter, static electricity eliminator,product inspection machine or the like.

Needless to say, the peripheral equipment control panel 19 may bemounted on the third peripheral-equipment mounting plate (sub mountingsection) and the peripheral equipment controller 20 may be mounted onthe second peripheral-equipment mounting plate (sub mounting section)15. In view of the operator's operation efficiency, however, it ispreferable that the peripheral equipment control panel 19 is mounted onthe second peripheral-equipment mounting plate 15, that is, on the sameside as a control panel 21 of the injection molding machine 1.

Mounting of the robot mechanism 17 and the peripheral equipment 18 onthe peripheral-equipment mounting plate 13 is usually achieved by meansof bolts and nuts. In the case where specifications of the robotmechanism 17, the peripheral equipment 18, the peripheral equipmentcontrol panel 19 or the peripheral equipment controller 20 arepreviously specified by user, the necessary equipment may be mountedwith cables and piping connected, prior to shipment from a factory.

After purchasing the injection molding machine 1, a user can mount arobot for taking out products or peripheral equipment of conventionaltype which has been used by the user, or any peripheral equipmentpurchased separately, on the mounting plates 13, 15, etc. Since theperipheral equipment mounting plates 13, 15, etc. are securely fixed onthe first rest 5 independently of the mechanism of the injection moldingmachine 1, precision of the injection molding machine 1 is neveradversely affected even if these plates 13, 15, etc. are machined by theuser.

The second rest 6 comprises upper and lower mounting plates 24 and 23respectively fixed to upper and lower portions of the columns 22 bybolts etc. to extend between the columns 22. These plates serve asmounting portions in the second rest 6. Plural sets of holes may beprovided on the columns 22 at different levels in the verticaldirection, to adjust height at which the upper or lower mounting plate24 or 23 is mounted.

In this embodiment, a controller 25 of the robot 17 for taking outproducts is mounted on the mounting portion of the second rest 6. Asmentioned above, where specifications of the robot controller 25, suchas size etc., are previously specified, the controller may be mounted inadvance with cables connected, prior to shipment from a factory. It isalso possible for a user to mount the robot controller 25 or otherperipheral equipment on the mounting portion after purchasing theinjection molding machine 1. In such a case, the adjustable height ofthe upper and lower mounting plates 24 and 23 facilitates the mountingwork.

According to the injection molding machine of the present invention, arobot and peripheral equipment to be used in cooperation with theinjection molding machine are mounted on mounting portions of the restswhich are fixed to the injection molding machine, and therefore, even inmoving the injection molding machine to another location, the robot andthe peripheral equipment can be transported together with the injectionmolding machine as one piece, thus making it unnecessary to carry outdetachment of the peripheral equipment from the injection moldingmachine and re-connection of cables and piping, which have been requiredin moving the conventional injection molding machine.

Further, since the robot is mounted integrally on the injection moldingmachine, the position of the robot relative to the injection moldingmachine is not displaced due to vibration etc. caused by moldingoperation, and even in moving the injection molding machine to anotherlocation, complicated work such as readjustment of the relative positionof the robot or re-teaching of operation is unnecessary.

What is claimed is:
 1. An injection molding machine comprising: a bodyincluding a clamp unit and an injection unit to perform an injectionmolding operation, and a base for mounting thereon said mold clampingunit and said injection unit; and a first rest affixed to said baseseparately from said mold clamping unit and said injection unit andhaving a frame structure for supporting a first peripheral equipment forperforming an operation which is associated with the injection moldingoperation.
 2. The injection molding machine according to claim 1,wherein said frame structure supports the first peripheral equipment ata level higher than said mold clamping unit.
 3. The injection moldingmachine according to claim 1, wherein said frame structure supports arobot for taking out products.
 4. The injection molding machineaccording to claim 3, wherein said frame structure supports equipmentcooperating with said robot.
 5. An injection molding machine,comprising: a body to perform an injection molding operation; and afirst rest affixed to said body and providing a first structuralsupport, said first rest including a first U-shaped frame for mountingthereon a first peripheral equipment for performing an operation whichis associated with the injection molding operation; and a second restaffixed to said body and providing a second structural support, saidsecond rest being disposed below said first rest, for mounting thereon asecond peripheral equipment for performing an operation which isassociated with the injection molding operation.
 6. The injectionmolding machine according to claim 5, wherein said first rest includes asecond U-shaped frame for structural support, said injection moldingmachine comprising: a first peripheral equipment mounting plate attachedto the first U-shaped frame and the second U-shaped frame to providesupport for the first peripheral equipment; and a second peripheralequipment mounting plate attached to said second rest to provide supportfor the second peripheral equipment, wherein the first U-shaped frameprovides space beneath said first rest for mounting the secondperipheral equipment.
 7. The injection molding machine according toclaim 6, further comprising: a third peripheral equipment mounting plateattached to the first U-shaped frame and the second U-shaped frame toprovide support for third peripheral equipment.
 8. The injection moldingmachine according to claim 6, wherein the first peripheral equipment isone of the group consisting of a stocker, an insert feeder, a partfeeder, a gate cutter, a static electricity eliminator, and a productinspection machine.
 9. The injection molding machine according to claim8, wherein the second peripheral equipment is a control panelelectrically connected to the first peripheral equipment for providingcontrol.
 10. The injection molding machine according to claim 5, whereinsaid body has a mold clamping unit, and said first rest is disposed at alevel higher than said mold clamping unit.
 11. The injection moldingmachine according to claim 5, wherein a robot for taking out products ismounted on the first U-shaped frame.
 12. The injection molding machineaccording to claim 11, wherein equipment cooperating with said robot ismountable on said second rest.
 13. The injection molding machineaccording to claim 5, said body further comprises: upper and lowersupport members which are joined in parallel fashion by a plurality ofsupper column members, wherein the first U-shaped frame is connected tothe upper support member by a plurality of bolts, such that the firstU-shaped frame is removably attached.
 14. The injection molding machineaccording to claim 5, further comprising: a third rest affixed to saidbody and providing a third structural support, said second rest beingdisposed below said first rest for mounting thereon a third peripheralequipment for performing an operation which is associated with theinjection molding operation.
 15. An injection molding machine,comprising: a body to perform an injection molding operation; a firstrest affixed to said body and providing a first structural support, saidfirst rest including a first U-shaped frame for mounting thereon a firstperipheral equipment for performing an operation which is associatedwith the injection molding operation; a second rest affixed to said bodyand providing a second structural support, said second rest including asecond U-shaped frame and being disposed below said first rest formounting thereon a second peripheral equipment for performing anoperation which is associated with the injection molding operation; afirst peripheral equipment mounting plate attached to the first U-shapedframe and the second U-shaped frame to provide support for the firstperipheral equipment; a second peripheral equipment mounting plateattached to said second rest to provide support for the secondperipheral equipment; and a third peripheral equipment mounting plateattached to the first U-shaped frame and the second U-shaped frame toprovide support for third peripheral equipment, wherein the firstU-shaped frame provides space beneath said first rest for mounting thesecond peripheral equipment.
 16. The injection molding machine accordingto claim 15, wherein the first peripheral equipment is one of the groupconsisting of a stocker, an insert feeder, a part feeder, a gate cutter,a static electricity eliminator, and a product inspection machine. 17.The injection molding machine according to claim 15, wherein said bodyhas a mold clamping unit, and said first rest is disposed at a levelhigher than said mold clamping unit.
 18. The injection molding machineaccording to claim 15, wherein a robot for taking out products ismounted on the first U-shaped frame.
 19. The injection molding machineaccording to claim 15, wherein equipment cooperating with said robot ismountable on said second rest.
 20. The injection molding machineaccording to claim 15, said body further comprises: upper and lowersupport members which are joined in parallel fashion by a plurality ofsupper column members, wherein the first U-shaped frame is connected tothe upper support member by a plurality of bolts, such that the firstand second U-shaped frames are removably attached.
 21. The injectionmolding machine according to claim 1, further comprising a second restto provide structural support for a second peripheral equipment, saidsecond rest being attached to said base below said first rest.
 22. Aninjection molding machine, comprising: a body to perform an injectionmolding operation; and a first rest affixed to said body and providing astructural support, said first rest including a U-shaped frame to mountthereon a first peripheral equipment for performing an operation whichis associated with the injection molding operation, such that a secondrest to provide structural support for second peripheral equipment maybe attached to said body below said first rest.
 23. An injection moldingmachine comprising: a body to perform an injection molding operation;and a fixed rest affixed to said body and providing structural support,said first rest including a U-shaped frame for mounting thereon a firstperipheral equipment for performing an operation which is associatedwith the injection molding operation.